Several arrested in abortion protests awaiting release

Updated 9:31 am, Sunday, July 14, 2013

Two female protesters are escorted out of the Texas Capitol Friday evening, July 12, 2013, by DPS officers. It is unclear if they were arrested and what the charges were; reports were conflicting. Video by Kolten Parker

Media: Express News

AUSTIN — State police arrested 12 protesters during the raucous scene that permeated the state Capitol as Senate Republicans passed a package of tough abortion restrictions, officials said Saturday.

Thousands raged inside and around the Capitol on Friday and into Saturday morning as lawmakers debated a bill that has thrust Texas into the forefront of the national debate on women's reproductive rights.

Most of the protesters were arrested for disturbances in the Senate gallery — ranging from shouting to members of a group that tried to chain themselves to the guardrail. One woman succeeded, requiring Capitol police to pull out the bolt cutters.

By Saturday afternoon, five had been released from the Travis County Sheriff's Office.

“We're working to get the everybody else out,” said Debbie Russell of the activist group Rise Up/Levanta Texas, which opposes the restrictions.

The environment wasn't unusual: massive rallies, hundreds lined up to testify at hearings, drum circles, chanting and singing had become the new norm at the Capitol. Arrests, however, largely had been avoided.

Photo: Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News

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Protesters who tried to chain themselves to a rail are removed from the Senate gallery by DPS troopers.

Protesters who tried to chain themselves to a rail are removed from the Senate gallery by DPS troopers.

Photo: Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News

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DPS officers stabilize a man after he was injured in the ruckus after the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

DPS officers stabilize a man after he was injured in the ruckus after the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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A protestor is hauled away by DPS officers after the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

A protestor is hauled away by DPS officers after the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Wendy Davis leans on Carlos Uresti as they exit a rally in front of the Capitol after the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Wendy Davis leans on Carlos Uresti as they exit a rally in front of the Capitol after the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Angry protestors rally on the front steps of the Capitol after the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Angry protestors rally on the front steps of the Capitol after the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Angry protestors rally on the front steps of the Capitol after the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Angry protestors rally on the front steps of the Capitol after the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Senator Royce West (D-Dallas) introduces Cecile Richards on the steps of the Capitol after the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senator Royce West (D-Dallas) introduces Cecile Richards on the steps of the Capitol after the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Senator Royce West (D-Dallas) introduces Cecile Richards on the steps of the Capitol after the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senator Royce West (D-Dallas) introduces Cecile Richards on the steps of the Capitol after the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst gavels in the bill as the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst gavels in the bill as the Senate passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL, San Antonio Express-News

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DPS troopers watch over the remaining crowd as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

DPS troopers watch over the remaining crowd as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Senator Eddie Lucio (D-Brownsville) as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senator Eddie Lucio (D-Brownsville) as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Senator Donna Campbell cites documents to support her case as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senator Donna Campbell cites documents to support her case as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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A protestor is removed as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

A protestor is removed as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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A protestor is removed as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

A protestor is removed as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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DPS troopers keep protestors from re-entering the Capitol building after the Senate debates passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

DPS troopers keep protestors from re-entering the Capitol building after the Senate debates passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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DPS troopers keep protestors from re-entering the Capitol building after the Senate debates passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

DPS troopers keep protestors from re-entering the Capitol building after the Senate debates passes abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Senator Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) watches the debate wind down as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senator Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) watches the debate wind down as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL, San Antonio Express-News

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Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL, San Antonio Express-News

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Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Cecile Richards greets supporters as she walks through the Capitol Friday evening as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Cecile Richards greets supporters as she walks through the Capitol Friday evening as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Pro choice supporters gather for a rally in the rotunda as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Pro choice supporters gather for a rally in the rotunda as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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During a five minute recess, Senator Wendy Davis (D- Fort Worth) makes a visit to see supporters in the rotunda with Senator John Whitmire (D-Houston) along with Royce WEst (D-Dallas) and Sylivia Garcia (D-Houston) as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013. less

During a five minute recess, Senator Wendy Davis (D- Fort Worth) makes a visit to see supporters in the rotunda with Senator John Whitmire (D-Houston) along with Royce WEst (D-Dallas) and Sylivia Garcia ... more

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Lt. Governor David Dewhurst presides over a huddle of senators after a point of order was brought up as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst presides over a huddle of senators after a point of order was brought up as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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DPS troopers check bags before admitting people into the Senate chamber as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

DPS troopers check bags before admitting people into the Senate chamber as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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DPS troopers check bags before admitting people into the Senate chamber as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

DPS troopers check bags before admitting people into the Senate chamber as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Demonstrators fill the rotunda as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Demonstrators fill the rotunda as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Demonstrators fill the rotunda as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Demonstrators fill the rotunda as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Demonstrators fill the rotunda as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Demonstrators fill the rotunda as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Demonstrators fill the rotunda as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Demonstrators fill the rotunda as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Demonstrators fill the rotunda as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Demonstrators fill the rotunda as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Volunteers pass out bottles of water as people wait to get into the Senate chamber as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Volunteers pass out bottles of water as people wait to get into the Senate chamber as the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Demonstrators voice their opinion as the Capitol building fills before the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Demonstrators voice their opinion as the Capitol building fills before the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Demonstrators voice their opinion as the Capitol building fills before the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Demonstrators voice their opinion as the Capitol building fills before the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Demonstrators voice their opinion as the Capitol building fills before the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.

Demonstrators voice their opinion as the Capitol building fills before the Senate debates passage of abortion legislation on July 12, 2013.